Finding Resources in Your Local Area  

Don't forget to find out what services and organizations are available in your local community. Even if you think you will not qualify for specific services, agencies may be able to make referrals to other organizations which may be of assistance.

* Check the county government listings in your local phone book for information on agencies

o Health and Human Services Department
o Social Service Department
o Public Health Department
o Social Security Administration
o Medical Board
o Mental Health Department

* Access governmental agencies and organizations online.
* Contact the social service department of your local hospital or clinic.
* Locate adult daycare centers and faith-based agencies.
* Locate the local chapter of disease groups (i.e. American Heart Association etc)

Caregiver Organizations, Information, Advocacy and Support Resources

* Children of Aging Parents (CAPS)
800-227-7294
Website: http://www.caps4caregivers.org

CAPS assists caregivers of the elderly with information and referrals, a network of support groups, and publications and programs that promote public awareness of the value and the needs of family caregivers.

* Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA)
800-445-8106
Website: http://www.caregiver.org
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FCA is the lead agency in California's system of Caregiver Resource Centers. FCA provides support and help to family caregivers and champions their cause through education, services, research and advocacy. Services are specific to California, although information can be accessed nationally.

* Family Voices, Inc.
888-835-5669
Website: http://www.familyvoices.org

Family Voices offers information on healthcare policies relevant to special needs children in every state.

* Friends' Health Connection
800-483-7436
Website: http://www.48friend.org

Friends' Health Connection links persons with illness or disability and their family caregivers with others experiencing the same challenges.

* National Alliance for Caregiving
Website: http://www.caregiving.org

Although not an organization that helps family caregivers directly, The National Alliance for Caregiving's Website helps family caregivers learn about information, videos, pamphlets, etc. that have been reviewed and approved as providing solid information.

* National Family Caregivers Association
800-896-3650
Website: http://www.thefamilycaregiver.org
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NFCA is a grassroots organization created to educate, support, empower and advocate for the millions of Americans who care for chronically ill, aged, or disabled loved ones. NFCA is the only constituency organization that reaches across the boundaries of different diagnoses, different relationships and different life stages to address the common needs and concerns of all family caregivers. NFCA serves as a public voice for family caregivers to the press, to Congress and the general public. NFCA offers publications, information, referral services, caregiver support, and advocacy.

* Rosalynn Carter Institute for Human Development (RCI)
229-928-1234
Website: http://www.rci.gsw.edu

RCI provides educational programs for caregivers, conducts research, and disseminates information about caregiving.

* U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Website: www.healthfinder.gov

A federal Web site designed to help people stay healthy. Healthfinder.gov features links to more than 6,000 government and nonprofit health information resources on hundreds of health topics including personalized health tools such as health calculators, activity and menu planners, recipes, and online checkups. In addition, the site offers tips for caregivers and health news. Information is provided in English and Spanish.

* Well Spouse Association
800-838-0879
Website: http://www.wellspouse.org
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Well Spouse is a national membership organization that gives support to husbands, wives and partners of the chronically ill and/or disabled. Well Spouse has a network of support groups and also a newsletter for spouses.

Top Page

Caregiver-Specific Websites

There are a variety of websites which offer information and support for family caregivers. Websites with key information and support for family caregivers include:

* AgingCare.com
239-594-3235
Website: http://www.agingcare.com/
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AgingCare.com helps people caring for elderly parents find support, resources and information, as well as a place to connect with other caregivers. AgingCare.com has a comprehensive collection of articles, news, product information, as well as a team of elder care experts who answer the many tough questions caregivers have about caring for their loved ones. Most importantly, AgingCare.com provides a community in which caregivers can connect with others in similar situations, to share ideas and help each other through the tough times.

* AGIS Network
866-511-9186
Website: http://www.agis.com/
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AGIS.com provides education, support, expert advice, local resources and a vibrant community for caregivers and families of the elderly.

* CareCentral
Website: http://www.carecentral.com

CareCentral is a personalized web service that allows users to create a private, secure online community for loved ones during significant health events. It is a free tool to update friends and family, organize and schedule offers to help, and encourage messages of hope, providing support when it is most needed.

* CareConnection.com
Website: http://www.careconnection.com

CareConnection.com is Website devoted to family caregivers, with up-to-date health news, elder care specialists, experts, insurance help, and coping advice. The site, owned by HealthCentral.com, offers in-depth resources from trusted sources, interactive tools, and connections to leading experts and caregivers who share their experiences and inspiration.

* Caregiver.Com
800-829-2734
Website: http://www.caregiver.com
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Caregiver.com produces Today's Caregiver magazine, the first national magazine dedicated to caregivers, the "Sharing Wisdom Caregivers Conferences", and Website which includes topic specific newsletters and online discussion lists.

* Caregivinghelp.org
773.381.6008
Website: www.CAREgivinghelp.org
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CAREgivinghelp.org is free, interactive website featuring short video and text educational modules on a variety of caregiving topics, frequently asked questions that cover the different phases of caregiving, an online community monitored by a geriatric care specialist, exercises to help caregivers "take a moment" for themselves, and a comprehensive listing of resources.

* CarePages
888-852-5521
Website: http://www.carepages.com

CarePages are free, private web pages that make it easy to reach out and receive messages of support and to stay connected to family, friends, co-workers and others who care about you and your loved one. The service is available to anyone caring for a loved one, but may be particularly helpful to those who have recently found themselves in a care giving role.

* Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)
Website: www.medicare.gov/caregivers

Ask Medicare will help family caregivers access and use valuable healthcare information, services and resources. This new CMS initiative will feature a one-stop Web page for caregivers, providing easy access to useful information about Medicare and other essential resources to help with family caregiving including links to key partner organizations that assist caregivers and beneficiaries, and will present personal stories from caregivers in the community.

* Disability Info – Federal Government
Website: http://www.disabilityinfo.gov

A federal government website designed to provide people with disabilities access to the information they need quickly and easily. The site links to disability-related programs and services from numerous government agencies and is designed as a one-stop website where people with disabilities can easily find the resources they need to fully participate in the workforce and in their communities including state and local resources map, which makes it easy to locate disability-related information in specific areas.

* Family Caregiver Alliance (FCA)
800-445-8106
Website: http://www.caregiver.org

FCA is a public voice for caregivers, illuminating the daily challenges they face, offering them the assistance they so desperately need and deserve, and championing their cause through education, services, research and advocacy.

* The Healing Project
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Website: http://www.thehealingproject.org

The Healing Project is dedicated to providing support, education, resources, and help to those who face life-threatening and life-altering diseases and encourages those who have a personal story to share can submit an essay that will provide insight, hope, courage, and healing to those who may be newly diagnosed or living with the disease.

* Home Instead - Caregiverstress
Website: www.caregiverstress.com

While family caregiving is often very rewarding and a bonding experience, it can also be stressful and cause tension within families. Home Instead Senior Care provides this informative Website to help family caregivers find ways to cope with caregiver stress, in order to make their role more rewarding. A caregiver who takes care of herself or himself - body and mind - will ultimately be a better caregiver to a loved one.

* Homecare Agencies - Right at Home
Website: www.rightathome.net

Right at Home is a national in-home care and assistance agency that provides your loved ones with the care and attention they deserve in the comfort of their own surroundings. Our local offices provide well-trained, insured and bonded caregivers for a variety of elder care services, and manage that care locally on your behalf. Whether you are seeking help with basic home maker services, personal care, or light skilled nursing, caregivers with Right at Home deliver quality care that can help your loved ones remain independent and fulfilled.   Visit www.rightathome.net to learn more and to locate an office.

* ITN Men’s Caregiver Support Group program
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Website: http://mlberg.spaces.live.com/

ITN (In Their Names) seeks to help men build their communication skills to become better caregivers. This is done by learning to share their stories with others, developing abilities to cope, making flexible and realistic plans, and gaining confidence as a caregiver. ITN was created as a step-by-step guide for men to develop a caregiver support group within their own communities.

* Lotsa Helping Hands
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Website: http://www.nfca.lotsahelpinghands.com

Lotsa Helping Hands is a volunteer coordination service for friends, family, colleagues, and neighbors to assist loved ones in need. It's an easy-to-use, private group calendar, specifically designed for organizing helpers, where everyone can pitch in with meals delivery, rides, and other tasks necessary for life to run smoothly during a crisis.

* National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA)
800-896-3650
Website: http://www.thefamilycaregiver.org

The National Family Caregivers Association (NFCA) is America's premier organization for family caregivers reaching across the boundaries of diagnoses, age, and relationship to address the common needs and concerns of all family caregivers. Through education, support and advocacy NFCA empowers family caregivers to act on behalf of themselves and their loved ones, and works to remove the barriers that stand in the way of a family caregiver's health and well being.

* The National Resource Directory
Website: www.nationalresourcedirectory.org

Developed by the Departments of Defense, Labor and Veterans Affairs for wounded, ill and injured service members, veterans, their families and families of the fallen, and those who support them. The Directory provides over ten thousand services and resources available through governmental and non-governmental organizations to support recovery, rehabilitation and reintegration into the community.

* New Health Partnerships
Website: www.newhealthpartnerships.org

New Health Partnerships (NHP), a program of the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, is spreading collaborative self-management support, a system of care that promotes patient/family caregiver/provider partnerships to transform care for the chronically ill. The site offers valuable tools and resources that can be easily downloaded by patients, family caregivers, and their health care team

* Next Step in Care
Website: http://www.nextstepincare.org

Offering a range of guides and checklists—most intended for family caregivers of persons with serious illness, with some specifically for health care providers—designed to make patients’ transitions between care settings such as rehab to home or home to hospital smoother and safer.

* Share the Care
Tel: 646 467-8097
Website: http://www.sharethecare.org
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Share the Care is a grassroots organization dedicated to preventing "caregiver burnout by promoting and educating people about the benefits of group caregiving using the SHARE THE CARE™ model."

* Strength for Caring
866-466-3458
Website: http://www.strengthforcaring.com

Strength for Caring is an online resource and community for family caregivers that helps family caregivers take care of their loved ones and themselves. Strength for Caring is part of The Caregiver Initiative, created by Johnson & Johnson Consumer Products Company, Division of Johnson & Johnson Consumer Companies, Inc.

* Video Caregiving
Website: www.videocaregiving.org

A visual education tool for family caregivers of loved ones with Alzheimer’s Disease, strokes or other physical disabilities. The site features exclusive documentary-style videos, created by a team of award-winning film producers, which follow real life people as real life stories and issues unfold. Here caregivers find tools to better understand and deal with their situation, and let them know that they are neither isolated nor alone in their struggle.

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